Reward Offered in Stabbing of Beagle in Lansing, Mich.

Ingham County Animal Control, Lansing Police Department

The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person responsible for ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­stabbing and killing a beagle in his backyard in Lansing, Mich.

The Case: News reports and law enforcement give the following account: Around 1 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9, Charles Brown, a resident of the 300 block of Frederick Boulevard at Turner Road reported that an unknown man, reportedly wearing a light colored hooded sweatshirt, was in his backyard. The man stabbed the owner’s beagle, Gizmo, who was in the backyard at the time, then ran away. Lansing Police Department found a knife at the scene and deployed their K-9 unit to track the suspect, but was unable to apprehend him. Gizmo was taken for medical treatment but did not survive.

Animal Cruelty: Getting the serious attention of law enforcement, prosecutors and the community in cases involving allegations of cruelty to animals is an essential step in protecting the community. The connection between animal cruelty and human violence is well documented. Studies show a correlation between animal cruelty and all manner of other crimes, from narcotics and firearms violations to battery and sexual assault.

“A person who would deliberately stab and kill this small, innocent dog is a potential danger to the community at large,” said Jill Fritz, The HSUS’ Michigan senior state director. “We are hopeful that this reward will bring forward anyone with information about this heinous crime."

The Investigators: Ingham County Animal Control is investigating. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact them during business hours by calling (517) 676-8370 and pressing 1, or after business hours, by calling their tip line at (517) 676-8376 and leaving a message.

Resources: The HSUS Animal Cruelty Campaign raises public awareness and educates communities about the connection between animal cruelty and human violence while providing a variety of resources to law enforcement agencies, social work professionals, educators, legislators and families. The HSUS offers rewards in animal cruelty cases across the country and works to strengthen laws against animal cruelty. The HSUS recently doubled its standard cruelty reward from $2,500 to $5,000 thanks to a generous donation from HSUS board member Cathy Kangas and her husband Ed Kangas of New Canaan, Conn. To see information on statistics, trends, laws and animal cruelty categories, click here.